MANI (or MANES) mā’ nī (mā’ nez) (Μάνης). The founder of Manicheism. Born of Parthian princely blood in 216, prob. in Babylonia, he was under Mandaean influence as a child. His first revelation at the age of twelve was followed by others. He preached in India and under Shāpur (c. 242-273) in Babylonia, Media and Parthia. But Bahrām I (274-277) seized him and he died (prob. 276).

Mani taught that Buddha, Zoroaster and Jesus were great prophets, but that he was the last and greatest. His system was a dualism in which God opposed Matter. The elect among his followers abstained from meat, all killing of animals and plants, and sexual relations. The influence of this teaching lasted over a millennium.